Watercraft docking system

ABSTRACT

A watercraft docking system for use with watercraft facilitates unassisted docking of the watercraft by preventing the watercraft from engaging the dock at either approach or departure. A simple reconfiguration of the watercraft docking system allows the watercraft to remain affixed to the dock while still reacting to external forces, such as wind, waves, and other phenomena. Accordingly, an individual can fully operate a recreational watercraft without the aid of another individual while reducing or eliminating the risk of potential damage resulting from contact between the watercraft and the dock.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to aprovisional application no. 60/399598 filed on Jul. 30, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to docking devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to watercraft dockingsystems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Watercraft are frequently stored on the water attached to docks,often referred to as slips. A typical watercraft dock includes astructure having one or more open slips, each with parallel sidewalls.Each slip has an open end into which the watercraft enters and fromwhich the watercraft exits. Walkways are typically provided around theslip sidewalls.

[0004] Docking a watercraft presents a number of challenges. Forinstance, steering a watercraft is difficult because changing thedirection of travel of the front of the watercraft is accomplishedindirectly, i.e., by changing the relative orientation of the back ofthe watercraft. By contrast, changing the direction of travel of thefront of a wheeled vehicle is accomplished via the front wheels and istherefore easier. Further, it is difficult to make immediate changes inthe direction of travel of a watercraft at low speeds. Certain adverseconditions, such as wind, rough water, slower watercraft speed, andoperator inexperience can make the docking process even more difficult.In any event, docking a watercraft is difficult, and if the watercraftcontacts a dock structure, the damage potential is significant.

[0005] Accordingly, individuals who operate watercraft often find itextremely difficult to launch and dock their watercraft without theassistance of other individuals positioned on the dock, on various areasof the watercraft itself, or both. When an individual attempts to launchor dock their watercraft without assistance, the watercraft may engagewith the dock. If not performed properly, this engagement may damageboth the watercraft and the dock. Launching of the watercraft iscompleted when the watercraft is free from both sides of the watercraftslip. Docking is completed only when the watercraft and dock areprotected from potential impact between the watercraft and dockattributable to waves or wind creating relative movement between thewatercraft and dock. Accordingly, a need continues to exist for adocking system that allows an individual to completely launch and docktheir watercrafts without assistance and without damaging the dock orwatercraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One example embodiment of the present invention is directed to adocking apparatus having an axle arranged to rotate between a firstposition and a second position. A bumper is rotatably mounted on theaxle and arranged to rotate to a horizontal position when the axle isrotated to the first position and to rotate to a vertical position whenthe axle is rotated to the second position.

[0007] In another example embodiment, a docking system includes multipledocking arrangements. Each docking arrangement has an axle arranged torotate between a first position and a second position and a bumperrotatably mounted on the axle and arranged to rotate to a horizontalposition when the axle is rotated to the first position and to rotate toa vertical position when the axle is rotated to the second position. Alinkage operatively couples the docking arrangements together. A levercoupled to the linkage and arranged to cause the axles of the dockingarrangements to rotate between the first and second positions.

[0008] Still another example embodiment is directed to a method fordocking a watercraft. The watercraft is caused to enter a dock and isthen secured to the dock. At least one bumper is then rotated from ahorizontal position to a vertical position.

[0009] Various embodiments of the present invention may provide certainadvantages. For instance, various embodiments facilitate dockingwatercraft without assistance by preventing the watercraft from engagingthe dock at either approach or departure. As a result, an individual canmore easily guide and affix a watercraft to a dock without damage toeither the watercraft or the dock. In addition, a simple reconfigurationallows the watercraft to remain affixed to the dock while still reactingto external forces, such as wind, waves, and other phenomena.

[0010] Additional objects, advantages, and features of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description and theclaims that follow, considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will now be described, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating an example dockingarrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates an example configuration of a docking systemaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 illustrates another example configuration of the dockingsystem illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a docking techniqueaccording to yet another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Various embodiments of the present invention facilitate dockingwatercraft without assistance. Accordingly, an individual can moreeasily guide and affix a watercraft to a dock without damage to eitherthe watercraft or the dock. In one embodiment, a watercraft dockingsystem arranged for use with recreation watercraft prevents thewatercraft from engaging the dock at either approach or departure. Thewatercraft docking system converts with a single movement to allow thewatercraft to remain affixed to the dock while still reacting toexternal forces, such as wind, waves, and other phenomena.

[0017] The following description of various embodiments directed to awatercraft docking system is to be construed by way of illustrationrather than limitation. This description is not intended to limit theinvention or its applications or uses. While various embodiments of theinvention are described as being implemented in a docking system forrecreational watercraft, the principles of the invention are generallyapplicable to other systems and apparatuses that protect vehicles andother structures from undesirable impacts. For example, the exampleembodiments described herein may be adapted for use with anyrecreational or commercial watercraft, regardless of size, in a varietyof situations.

[0018] In the following description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of variousembodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilledin the art that the present invention may be practiced without some orall of these specific details. In other instances, well known processsteps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring the present invention.

[0019] In one embodiment, a watercraft docking system includes mountingbrackets that can be attached to a dock. The mounting brackets securecircular bumpers that can be rotated in response to a force applied by apositioning lever and one or more linkages. When the circular bumpersare arranged in a horizontal position, the bumpers gently guide thewatercraft alongside the dock and avoid contact between the watercraftand the dock. When the watercraft is secured to the dock, thepositioning lever may be actuated to reconfigure the bumpers in avertical position. When the bumpers are in the vertical position, thewatercraft is free to rise and fall with the water level while reactingto outside forces, such as wind and waves, without contacting the dock.

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is an exploded viewillustrating an example docking arrangement 100. The docking arrangement100 includes a mounting assembly 102 that is attachable to a dock usinga standard nut and bolt. Alternatively, another fastener can attach thedocking arrangement 100 to the dock, such as glue, a nail, or a screw.As another alternative, the mounting assembly 102 can be permanentlyattached to the dock by welding, molding, or other adhesion techniques.

[0021] The mounting assembly 102 may include a mounting bracket 104, areceiver 106, and an axle 108, preferably all formed from the samematerial. The mounting bracket 104, receiver 106, and axle 108 may allbe formed from any of a variety of materials, including, but not limitedto, composite nylon, angle iron, extruded aluminum, extruded PVC orother plastic material, injection mold, or die cast metal.

[0022] The mounting bracket 104 is preferably formed with twoperpendicular surfaces 110 and 112 that conform to perpendicularsurfaces of the edge of the dock. Both surfaces 110 and 112 are fastenedor attached to the dock. With the mounting bracket 104 secured to twosurfaces of the dock, the fastening or attachment between the mountingbracket 104 and the dock is secure.

[0023] The axle 108 is rotatably mounted in the receiver 106, which maybe formed from any of a variety of materials, including, but not limitedto: composite nylon, angle iron, extruded aluminum, extruded PVC orother plastic material, injection mold, or die cast metal. While notrequired, the receiver 106 may incorporate a friction-reducing material,such as a nylon bushing, grease, or a ball bearing, on its insidesurface to reduce friction with the axle 108.

[0024] The receiver 106 is preferably formed from the same material asthe mounting bracket 104 and the axle 108 and may be attached to themounting bracket 104 using any of a variety of fastening techniques,such as welding, solid bonding, or sonic welding. As will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art, other similar fastening techniques mayprovide certain advantages in certain manufacturing processes. Asanother alternative, the receiver 106 and the mounting bracket 104 canbe combined as a single injection-molded or die cast component orintegrated using other one-piece construction techniques. The use ofsuch fastening and one-piece construction processes is within the scopeof the present invention.

[0025] The axle 108 is preferably formed from the same material as themounting bracket 104 and the receiver 106, for example, composite nylon,angle iron, extruded aluminum, extruded PVC or other plastic material,injection mold, or die cast metal. As described above, the axle 108 isrotatably mounted in the receiver 106. More particularly, the axle 108may be attached to the receiver 106 using a slide-in pin 114.Alternatively, the axle 108 may be held within the receiver 106 usingfriction, a screw, or another fastening agent. The axle 108 may berotated between two positions: one position for docking a watercraft andanother position for protecting the watercraft once it has been docked.

[0026] A circular bumper 116 is rotatably mounted on the axle 108. Thecircumference and width of the circular bumper 116 may be selected as afunction of the size of the watercraft. The circular bumper 116 ispreferably formed from a non-marking, pliable, energy absorbingmaterial. In one embodiment, the circular bumper 116 includes an innerrim 118 and an outer rim 120. In another embodiment, the circular bumper116 is formed as a single piece using a blow-mold, injection mold, orany rubber-like material. As another alternative, the circular bumper116 may be implemented using a conventional bumper or fender of a typecommonly used in the marine industry for watercraft docking.

[0027] The inner rim 118 can be formed from any of a variety ofmaterials, including, but not limited to: composite nylon, angle iron,extruded aluminum, extruded PVC or other plastic material, injectionmold, or die cast metal. In addition, the inner rim 118 may incorporatea friction-reducing material, such as a nylon bushing, grease, or a ballbearing, on its inside surface to reduce friction with the axle 108.

[0028] The outer rim 120 can be formed as a solid, skinned surface.Alternatively, the outer rim 120 may be formed as any non-marking,pliable, energy absorbing material, such as a hollow piece, a blow-mold,a self-skinning foam, or an injection mold.

[0029] As described below in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3, multipledocking arrangements 100 may be combined to form a docking system. Whenmultiple docking arrangements 100 are combined in this way, a linkage122 couples the docking arrangements 100 to one another. The linkage 122is preferably formed from the same material as the mounting assembly 102and is attached to a protruding section 124 of each docking arrangement100, for example, using a pin 126. Alternatively, the linkage 122 may beformed from any of a variety of materials, including, for example,composite nylon, angle iron, extruded aluminum, extruded PVC or otherplastic material, injection mold, or die cast metal. Further, thelinkage 122 may incorporate a friction-reducing material, such as anylon bushing, grease, or a ball bearing, to reduce friction with theaxle 108.

[0030]FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of a docking system128 in which three docking arrangements 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c,collectively referred to as docking arrangement 100, are combined asdescribed above. While three docking arrangements 100 are depicted, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a greater or lessernumber of docking arrangements 100 may be used. The docking arrangements100 are coupled to each other via the linkage 122. As illustrated inFIG. 2, circular bumpers 116 a, 116 b, and 116 c, collectively referredto as circular bumpers 116, of the docking arrangements 100 a, 100 b,and 100 c are in a horizontal position. With the circular bumpers 116thus positioned, a watercraft can be guided into the dock while avoidingcontact between the watercraft and the dock. As a result, the likelihoodof damaging either the watercraft or the dock is significantly reduced.

[0031] Once the watercraft is secured to the dock, a positioning lever130 can be actuated to rotate the circular bumpers 116 to a verticalposition, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The positioning lever 130 ispreferably formed from the same material as the mounting assembly 102and the linkage 122 and is attached to the linkage 122 and to the axle108 of one of the docking arrangements 100. Altematively, thepositioning lever 130 may be formed from any of a variety of materials,including, for example, composite nylon, angle iron, extruded aluminum,extruded PVC or other plastic material, injection mold, or die castmetal. The positioning lever 130 is preferably implemented as a singlestraight rod, but may be implemented using a wheeled or spring-loadedmechanism.

[0032] When the positioning lever 130 is actuated, it asserts a force onthe linkage 122, which in turn asserts a force on axles 108 a, 108 b,and 108 c, collectively referred to as axles 108, of dockingarrangements 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c, causing the axles 108 to rotate.The rotation of the axles 108 causes the circular bumpers 116 to rotateto the vertical position. With the circular bumpers 116 thus positioned,the watercraft can rise and fall with the water level while reacting tooutside forces and avoiding contact with the dock. Accordingly, the riskof damaging either the dock or the watercraft when the watercraft issecured to the dock is reduced or eliminated.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a docking technique usingthe docking system 128 of FIGS. 2 and 3. First, the circular bumpers 116are placed in the horizontal position, if they are not already in thisorientation (132). The operator then causes the watercraft to enter thedock (134). Once the watercraft has fully entered the dock, it issecured to the dock (136). The positioning lever 130 is then actuated(138), causing the circular bumpers to rotate to the vertical positionto protect the watercraft and dock from damage after the watercraft hasbeen docked.

[0034] As demonstrated by the foregoing discussion, various embodimentsof the present invention may offer a convenient and safe way to usewatercraft. An individual can fully operate a recreational watercraftwithout the aid of another individual while reducing or eliminating therisk of potential damage resulting from contact between the watercraftand the dock.

[0035] It will be understood by those who practice the invention andthose skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements maybe made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosed embodiments. The scope of protection afforded is to bedetermined solely by the claims and by the breadth of interpretationallowed by law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking apparatus comprising: an axle arrangedto rotate between a first position and a second position; and a bumperrotatably mounted on the axle and arranged to rotate to a horizontalposition when the axle is rotated to the first position and to rotate toa vertical position when the axle is rotated to the second position. 2.The docking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a linkage coupledto the axle and arranged to cause the axle to rotate between the firstand second positions.
 3. The docking apparatus of claim 2, furthercomprising a lever coupled to the linkage and arranged to cause the axleto rotate between the first and second positions.
 4. The dockingapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting assembly.
 5. Thedocking apparatus of claim 4, wherein the mounting assembly comprises areceiver in which the axle is rotatably mounted.
 6. The dockingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the bumper comprises an inner portion andan outer portion formed from an energy absorbing material.
 7. A dockingsystem comprising: a plurality of docking arrangements each comprisingan axle arranged to rotate between a first position and a secondposition, and a bumper rotatably mounted on the axle and arranged torotate to a horizontal position when the axle is rotated to the firstposition and to rotate to a vertical position when the axle is rotatedto the second position; a linkage operatively coupling the plurality ofdocking arrangements; and a lever coupled to the linkage and arranged tocause the axles of the plurality of docking arrangements to rotatebetween the first and second positions.
 8. The docking system of claim7, wherein at least one docking arrangement comprises a mountingassembly.
 9. The docking system of claim 8, wherein the mountingassembly comprises a receiver in which the axle is rotatably mounted.10. The docking system of claim 7, wherein the bumper of at least onedocking arrangement comprises an inner portion and an outer portionformed from an energy absorbing material.
 11. A method for docking awatercraft, the method comprising: causing the watercraft to enter adock; securing the watercraft to the dock; and rotating at least onebumper from a horizontal position to a vertical position.